The Australian government will push to work around President Trump’s controversial immigration suspension.
“I have directed our officials in Washington DC to work with US officials to ensure any preferential treatment extended to any other country in relation to travel and entry to the United States is extended to Australia,” Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a statement to SBS.
The British and Canadian governments have stated its citizens who have dual nationalities with the affected countries have been exempted from the ban.
President Trump’s latest executive order temporarily bans people from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen from entering the United States.
The seven-country ban affects majority Muslim nations but President Trump maintains it has nothing to do with religion.
Earlier today, the Labor Party asked for clarification on the executive order.
“I seek your advice on what representations the Government has made to the United States Administration on behalf of these Australians, and confirmation on whether the executive order applies to Australian dual nationals,” Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong wrote to Julie Bishop.
“As you are no doubt aware, this is causing a great deal of concern to members of our community.”
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Parliament House he was unaware of any Australians being affected by the ban.
“If cases do arise, then we will take them up with the government,” Mr Turnbull said.
“We have a very close relationship with the United States, and when we want to engage in discussions of this kind, we do so privately and frankly.”
